Just disgusted

Published

I don't post much, but I always lurk...and now I need to vent

The state has been in for 5 days investigating complaints (yes, more than one). I feel like a complete failure as a nurse. I knew my facility needed work, but now I feel we are about to be closed down. I know it is not only on me, but as they are racking up the tags, I feel that I SHOULD HAVE KNOWN to do more. We are a small facility with 46 residents. I thought we gave excellent care. A lot of the issues are valid and some aren't, but the documentation and policies are not there to back it up.

I just needed to vent!

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What could you have done? Are you in a position to write policy and sign off on it?

Keep on giving the good care you give and let the higher-ups deal with the state.

And hang in there.

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No, I am not in the position to write policy. I am the charge nurse, but since I am only one of 2 full time nurses ( the others are per diem or part-time) I feel that if I had included more in my documentation or been more pro-active with wound care, thise wouldn't be happening. In large facilities, I think it is easier to not feel like the blame lies soley on one person. There are usually wound teams, and quality assurance teams and unit supervisors, but not where I work. It's one nurse per unit with a med tech. My unit is 32 patients. If my patients have falls or skin issues it's on me.

Let me tell you, this has been a learning experience, but not a pleasant one:sniff:

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No, I am not in the position to write policy. I am the charge nurse, but since I am only one of 2 full time nurses ( the others are per diem or part-time) I feel that if I had included more in my documentation or been more pro-active with wound care, thise wouldn't be happening.

How? In your spare time?

Seriously, how?

The place sounds seriously under-staffed. You can't do what you can't do.

We have a crude expression where I come from, which I will edit a bit for the sensibilities and TOS of the forum.

"So shove a broom up my butt and I'll sweep the floor when I walk."

You can not do it all.

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"So shove a broom up my butt and I'll sweep the floor when I walk."

Yeah. Umm can I have have your permission to use that quote? Heh.

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Yeah. Umm can I have have your permission to use that quote? Heh.

Certainly. I do believe it's in the public domain.

;)

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Specializes in ER, TRAUMA, MED-SURG.
I don't post much, but I always lurk...and now I need to vent

The state has been in for 5 days investigating complaints (yes, more than one). I feel like a complete failure as a nurse. I knew my facility needed work, but now I feel we are about to be closed down. I know it is not only on me, but as they are racking up the tags, I feel that I SHOULD HAVE KNOWN to do more. We are a small facility with 46 residents. I thought we gave excellent care. A lot of the issues are valid and some aren't, but the documentation and policies are not there to back it up.

I just needed to vent!

Hey - I don't have much to add with state being there, but OMG!!! I feel for you. I do hope they're gone. It makes you feel like you are standing there in your underwear, even if you didn't do anything. Good luck!

Anne, RNC:chuckle

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I am sorry you are going through this. :icon_hug:

I was once part of the subject of a state investigation. The patient who complained was a total loony tune with unrealistic "fantasies" about what happened and what would have happened if........The truth is her outcome was out of our hands before she ever sought medical attention.

Even though I was 100% sure I did nothing wrong and never doubted for an instant that I was right, the state investigator always gave me the impression that I couldn't even pronounce my own name correctly much less provide appropriate patient care. Weeks later we found out the state investigator determined we did nothing wrong and the complaints were without merit.

I wonder if it is a job requirement for state investigators to make you feel like you do everything wrong.

I hope state is out of your hair soon and you can get on with providing and maybe even improving on great patient care.

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Specializes in med-surg.

((((Schmoo))))

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Specializes in Ortho, Neuro, Detox, Tele.

I believe state inspectors are reserved a special place in heck.....right next to JACHO....

Seriously, know that YOU give quality care, and what you can fix you will...otherwise, let the facility deal with it...

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Thanks everyone...I know many of you have been thru multiple surveys and know what I am going thru. Let me say I truly love my facility and I have great residents. I have to say, that we did all we could with what we had available to us, but the state is not buying that. I don't know if I should hang it up there or stick it out. I don't foresee things getting better. This may just be the stress talking though. Oh, and they are coming back next week :banghead:

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Specializes in Gerontology, Med surg, Home Health.

I don't want to paint them all with the same broad brush, but after being in the business for more than 15 years.....people don't become state surveyors because they are likeable or competent or nice. Most of them are zealots who couldn't possibly do what they expect US to do...and that's why they are surveyors. No matter how well staffed you are or how beautiful your facility might look, we are all human and therefore we all make mistakes. We can only hope that our mistake doesn't harm someone.

Have you done a good job taking care of the residents?

And please, don't say "let the facility fix it'...you ARE the facility.

Good luck and let us know how you make out.

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